Display driver apparatus and method of driving display

ABSTRACT

Provided is a method of driving a display. The method includes receiving a plurality of pieces of layer data and classifying the received plurality of pieces of layer data into at least one of two-dimensional (2D) layer data, three-dimensional (3D) layer data, and direct mixed layer data, processing the 2D layer data, mixing the 3D layer data, and mixing the direct mixed layer data, the processed 2D layer data, the processed 3D layer data to generate a display interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of State Intellectual PropertyOffice (SIPO) of the People's Republic of China No. 201410338745.9,filed on Jul. 16, 2014, in State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) ofthe People's Republic of China and Korean Patent Application No.10-2015-0078252, filed on Jun. 2, 2015, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein intheir entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate toa display driver apparatus and a method of driving a display, and moreparticularly, to a display driver apparatus configured to provide adisplay interface of an electronic terminal and a method of driving adisplay.

2. Related Art

With the development of information technology, various electronicterminals such as mobile phone terminals, smart TVs, personal computers(PCs), tablet PCs, game consoles, personal digital assistants, anddigital multimedia players, have become essential to modern life. Whenthe electronic terminals are used, people may usually communicate withthe electronic terminals through display interfaces of the electronicterminals or see contents provided by the electronic terminals.

A display interface of an electronic terminal may be generated based ona plurality of pieces of layer data. For example, various apparatusesconfigured to process layer data of the electronic terminals may performprocessing operations, such as a scaling operation, a color formatconversion operation, and a mixing operation on the layer data andgenerate the display interface. That is, to transmit various pieces ofinformation through a display apparatus, research has continuously beenconducted on a technique of mixing layer data regarding a plurality oflayers and outputting one frame.

SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments provide a display driver apparatus anda method of driving a display, which may classify layer data and processthe layer data to efficiently use a memory for a display device.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided adisplay driver apparatus including a classifier configured to receive aplurality of pieces of layer data and classify the received plurality ofpieces of layer data into at least one from among two-dimensional (2D)layer data, three-dimensional (3D) layer data, and direct mixed layerdata, a 2D graphic processor configured to process the 2D layer data, a3D graphic processor configured to process the 3D layer data, and adisplay controller configured to mix the direct mixed layer data, theprocessed 2D layer data, and the processed 3D layer data to generate adisplay interface.

The classifier may classify the received plurality of pieces of layerdata into the 2D layer data, the 3D layer data, and the direct mixedlayer data according to characteristics of the received plurality ofpieces of layer data.

Based on the characteristics of the received plurality of pieces oflayer data, the classifier may classify layer data processed by the 2Dgraphic processor, from among the received plurality of pieces of layerdata, as the 2D layer data, and classify layer data processed by the 3Dgraphic processor, from among the received plurality of pieces of layerdata, as the 3D layer data.

Based on indication information included in the received plurality ofpieces of layer data and characteristics of the received plurality ofpieces of layer data, the classifier may classify the received pluralityof pieces of layer data into at least one of the 2D layer data, the 3Dlayer data, and the direct mixed layer data.

The layer data from among the received plurality of pieces of layerincluding the indication information may be classified as the 3D layerdata by the classifier.

The 2D layer data may include video layer data, and at least one fromamong a color format conversion operation, a scaling operation, arotation operation, and a cropping operation may be performed on thevideo layer data by the 2D graphic processor.

The 3D layer data may be layer data that is not directly mixed by thedisplay controller from among the received plurality of pieces of layerdata other than the 2D layer data.

The classifier may not classify layer data corresponding to at least onefrom among layer data including a color format that is not supported bythe display controller, layer data including data in which the number ofpieces of data superposed in a same pixel exceeds a reference value,layer data having such a data size as not to be processed by the displaycontroller, and layer data that is not mixed due to performance of thedisplay controller, as the direct mixed layer data.

The classifier may determine whether layer data that is classifiable asthe direct mixed layer data, is present in the received plurality ofpieces of layer data. In response to the classifier determining that thelayer data that is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data ispresent, the classifier may classify the received plurality of pieces oflayer data into at least one from among the 2D layer data, the 3D layerdata, and the direct mixed layer data. In response to the classifierdetermining that the layer data that is classifiable as the direct mixedlayer data is not present, the classifier may classify the receivedplurality of pieces of layer data into at least one from among the 2Dlayer data and the 3D layer data.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a method of driving a display. The method includes: receiving aplurality of pieces of layer data and classifying the received pluralityof pieces of layer data into at least one from among 2D layer data, 3Dlayer data, and direct mixed layer data; processing the 2D layer data;mixing the 3D layer data; and mixing the direct mixed layer data, theprocessed 2D layer data, and the processed 3D layer data to generate adisplay interface.

The classifying of the received plurality of pieces of layer data mayinclude determining whether layer data that is classifiable as thedirect mixed layer data is present in the received plurality of piecesof layer data. In response to determining that the layer data that isclassifiable as the direct mixed layer data is present, the receivedplurality of pieces of layer data may be classified into at least onefrom among the 2D layer data, the 3D layer data, and the direct mixedlayer data, and, in response to determining that the layer data that isclassifiable as the direct mixed layer data is not present, the receivedplurality of pieces of layer data may be classified into at least onefrom among the 2D layer data and the 3D layer data. According to anaspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method ofdriving a display by using a display driver apparatus including aclassifier configured to receive a plurality of pieces of layer data andclassify the plurality of pieces of layer data, a 2D graphic processorconfigured to process the classified layer data, a 3D graphic processorconfigured to mix the classified layer data, and a display controllerconfigured to generate a display interface. The method includesclassifying the received plurality of pieces of layer data into at leastone from among 2D layer data, 3D layer data, and direct mixed layerdata, and generating the display interface based on the classified 2Dlayer data, the classified 3D layer data, and the classified directmixed layer data.

The generation of the display interface may include processing theclassified 2D layer data, processing the classified 3D layer data, andmixing the processed 2D layer data, the processed 3D layer data, and thedirect mixed layer data.

The classification of the received plurality of pieces of layer data mayinclude classifying the received plurality of pieces of layer data basedon respective characteristics of the received plurality of pieces oflayer data.

The generation of the display interface may include transmitting theclassified direct mixed layer data to the display controller,transmitting the classified 2D layer data to the 2D graphic processor,and transmitting the classified 3D layer data to the 3D graphicprocessor.

The display driver apparatus may further include a first buffer unit anda second buffer unit. The generation of the display interface mayinclude storing the 2D layer data processed by the 2D graphic processorin the first buffer unit, storing the 3D layer data mixed by the 3Dgraphic processor in the second buffer unit, receiving, by the displaycontroller, the 2D layer data processed by the first buffer unit,receiving, by the display controller, the 3D layer data mixed by thesecond buffer unit, and mixing, by the display controller, the directmixed layer data, the processed 2D layer data, and the mixed 3D layerdata.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a display apparatus. The display driver apparatus includes: aclassifier configured to classify a plurality of pieces of layer datainto at least one from among two-dimensional (2D) layer data,three-dimensional (3D) layer data, and direct mixed layer data; a 2Dgraphic processor configured to process layer data from among theplurality of pieces of layer data that is classified as the 2D layerdata and to output processed 2D layer data; a 3D graphic processorconfigured to process layer data from among the plurality of pieces oflayer data that is classified as the 3D layer data and to outputprocessed 3D layer data; and a display controller configured to mix thedirect mixed layer data, the processed 2D layer data, and the processed3D layer data to generate a display interface.

The 2D layer data may include video layer data, and the 2D graphicprocessor may perform at least one from among a color format conversionoperation, a scaling operation, a rotation operation, and a croppingoperation on the video layer data.

The classifier may determine whether layer data that is classifiable asthe direct mixed layer data, is present in the received plurality ofpieces of layer data, and, in response to the classifier determiningthat the layer data that is classifiable as the direct mixed layer datais present, the classifier may classify the received plurality of piecesof layer data into at least one from among the 2D layer data, the 3Dlayer data, and the direct mixed layer data, and, in response to theclassifier determining that the layer data that is classifiable as thedirect mixed layer data is not present, the classifier may classify thereceived plurality of pieces of layer data into at least one from amongthe 2D layer data and the 3D layer data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display driver apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a display driver apparatus configured togenerate a display interface, according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of driving a display to generate adisplay interface of an electronic terminal, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of classifying a plurality of piecesof layer data according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of classifying a plurality of piecesof layer data according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of determining categories of layerdata to be classified during an operation of classifying the layer dataaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of determining whether there is layerdata that is directly mixable by a display controller, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a display system according to an exemplaryembodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram of various application examples of an electronicproduct on which a display driver apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment is mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsof the inventive concept are shown. These embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure is thorough and complete and fully conveys thescope of the inventive concept to one skilled in the art. Accordingly,while the inventive concept can be modified in various ways and take onvarious alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in thedrawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intentto limit the inventive concept to the particular forms disclosed. On thecontrary, the inventive concept is to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of theappended claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions maybe exaggerated for clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventiveconcept. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when usedherein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first element could be termed asecond element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a firstelement, without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art towhich this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood thatterms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in therelevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexplicitly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display driver apparatus 1 according toan exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display driver apparatus 1 may include aclassification unit 10 (e.g., a classifier, etc.), a 2D graphicprocessor 20, a 3D graphic processor 30, and a display controller 40.The classification unit 10, the 2D graphic processor 20, and the 3Dgraphic processor 30 may be embodied by at least one of ageneral-purpose hardware processor (e.g., a digital signal processor(DSP) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), a special-purposehardware processor (e.g., a dedicated chip), and a computer program(e.g., software). The display driver apparatus 1 may be included in anelectronic terminal may provide a display interface to a user. Theelectronic terminal may be an electronic device capable of providing apersonal computer (PC), a mobile phone terminal, a smart TV, a tabletPC, a game console, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digitalmultimedia player, or a display interface.

The classification unit 10 may classify the received layer data into atleast one of 2D layer data, 3D layer data, and direct mixed layer datato receive layer data and generate a display interface. In an exemplaryembodiment, the display interface may include a display for showing thelayer data to users and include an interface for a human-machineinteraction (HMI) or an interface for providing contents provided by theelectronic terminal to a user. Hereinafter, the display interface mayinclude, for example, a display processed to visually show the layerdata to users or users' inputs, which are received and processed by theelectronic terminal. The display driver apparatus 1 may generate thedisplay interface based on the layer data. In an exemplary embodiment,the layer data may be generated by at least one of a general-purposehardware processor (e.g., a DSP or an FPGA), a special-purpose hardwareprocessor (e.g., a dedicated chip), and a computer program (e.g.,software). The display interface may be generated by performing aprocessing operation, such as a scaling operation, a color formatconversion operation, and a mixing operation, on the layer data.

The classification unit 10 according to an exemplary embodiment mayclassify the received layer data based on information regarding thereceived layer data. The classification unit 10 may classify the layerdata based on a processing operation on the received layer data.Furthermore, the classification unit 10 may classify the received layerdata based on display efficiency or power consumption caused by theprocessing operation.

The classification unit 10 may appropriately classify a plurality ofpieces of layer data based on at least one of the above-describedclassification standards. Thus, an optimized processing operation may beperformed on the classified layer data.

In an exemplary embodiment, the classification unit 10 may classify theplurality of pieces of layer data in at least one of the 2D layer data,the 3D layer data, and the direct mixed layer data according tocharacteristics of each of the plurality of pieces of layer data. Thecharacteristics of the layer data may include characteristics that arerelated to the processing of the layer data. For example, theclassification unit 10 may classify layer data, which is processable bythe 2D graphic processor 20, as 2D layer data and classify layer data,which is mixable by the 3D graphic processor 30, as 3D layer dataaccording to the characteristics of the layer data. The classificationunit 10 may classify layer data, which remains unclassified, as directmixed layer data.

The classification unit 10 may transmit the classified 2D layer data tothe 2D graphic processor 20, transmit the classified 3D layer data tothe 3D graphic processor 30, and transmit the classified direct mixedlayer data to the display controller 40.

The direct mixed layer data may refer to layer data directly mixed bythe display controller 40. The direct mixed layer data may not be mixedwith other layer data by the 3D graphic processor 30 but may betransmitted to the display controller 40. The display controller 40 mayperform a direct mixing operation on the direct mixed layer data toindicate that the display controller 40 may mix the direct mixed layerdata, layer data processed by the 2D graphic processor 20, and layerdata processed by the 3D graphic processor 30.

The 2D graphic processor 20 may process the classified 2D layer data. Inan exemplary embodiment, the 2D layer data may include video layer data.Here, the video layer data may include layer data that may be generatedduring reproduction of various video files, such as moving pictures. Inan exemplary embodiment, the 2D graphic processor 20 may perform aprocessing operation, such as a cropping operation, a rotationoperation, a scaling operation, or a color format conversion operation,on video layer data. The color format may be used to divide the kinds ofcolors according to color coordinates, and include red-green-blue (RGB),cyan-magenta-yellow (CMY), hue-saturation-intensity (HSI), and YCbCr.The cropping operation may be an operation of displaying only a cutportion of the entire image.

The 3D graphic processor 30 may process the classified 3D layer data. Inan exemplary embodiment, the processing operation may be an operation ofprocessing 3D graphics. The processing operation may be an operation ofexpressing a space based on depth information regarding 2D graphicsincluded in the layer data to embody the 3D graphics. In an exemplaryembodiment, the processing operation may also include an operation ofmixing the classified 3D layer data. For example, the processingoperation may include a typical blending operation, an alpha blendingoperation, a shading operation, and/or a mapping operation. Furthermore,the 3D graphic processor 30 may perform a processing operation includingan operation of mixing the classified 3D layer data and theabove-described color format conversion, cropping, and scalingoperations.

The 3D layer data may include layer data, which is not directly mixableby the display controller 30, from among layer data except 2D layerdata. For example, layer data that is directly mixed by the displaycontroller 40 may depend on processing performance of the displaycontroller 40. In this case, layer data that is not directly mixable bythe display controller 40 may be classified as the 3D layer data. Forexample, the layer data that is not directly mixable by the displaycontroller 40 may include at least one of layer data having a colorformat that cannot be supported by the display controller 40, layer dataregarding layers exceeding the maximum number of superposed layers thatare processable by the display controller 40, and layer data exceeding apredetermined data size that is processable by the display controller40.

In an exemplary embodiment, the received layer data may be layer datahaving a color format that cannot be supported by the display controller40. In this case, the classification unit 10 may classify layer data,which is mixable by the 3D graphic processor 30 but has a color formatthat cannot be supported by the display controller 40, as 3D layer data.

In another exemplary embodiment, the received layer data may exceed asize of layer data that is processable by the display controller 40. Inthis case, the classification unit 10 may classify layer data, whichdoes not correspond to the size of the layer data that is processable bythe display controller 50, as 3D layer data that is mixable by the 3Dgraphic processor 30. That is, when the received layer data is not ofsuch a size as to be processed by the display controller 40, theclassified unit 10 may classify the layer data as 3D layer data ismixable by the 3D graphic processor 30.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the layer data may exceed themaximum number of superposition layers that are processable by thedisplay controller 40. For example, when layer data regarding fivelayers or fewer are simultaneously mixable by the display controller 40,the classification unit 10 may classify layer data regarding layersexceeding a layer reference number (i.e., 5) as 3D layer data to bemixed by the 3D graphic processor 30.

As described above, layer data that is not directly mixable by thedisplay controller 40 may be classified according to the color format,size, or maximum layer number of the received layer data, but theinventive concept is not limited to this embodiment. For example, thereceive layer data may be classified as layer data that is not directlymixable by the display controller 40 based on performance of the displaycontroller 40.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the classification unit 10may classify a plurality of pieces of layer data into at least one of 2Dlayer data, 3D layer data, and direct mixed layer data according tocharacteristics of layer data related to the received layer data andindication information used to designate layer data mixed by the 3Dgraphic processor 30. The indication information used to designate thelayer data mixed by the 3D graphic processor 30 may be included in thereceived layer data. In an example, the classification unit 10 mayclassify the layer data as 3D layer data based on the indicationinformation included in the received layer data to designate the layerdata to be mixed by the 3D graphic processor. For example, initially,the classification unit 10 may determine whether there is layer dataincluding the indication information used to designate the layer data tobe mixed by the 3D graphic processor 30, in the received layer data. Thelayer data including the indication information may be classified as 3Dlayer data. The classification unit 10 may classify layer data suitablefor being processed by the 2D graphic processor 20 as 2D layer data andclassify layer data suitable for being mixed by the 3D graphic processor30 as 3D layer data based on characteristics of layer data that remainsunclassified. Thereafter, the classification unit 10 may classify layerdata, which remains unclassified during the above-describedclassification operation, as direct mixed layer data. The layer datasuitable for being processed by the 2D graphic processor 20 and thelayer data suitable for being processed by the 3D graphic processor 30are similar to those described above, and detailed descriptions thereofare omitted.

In another exemplary embodiment, the classification unit 10 maydetermine whether there is layer data suitable to be classified asdirect mixed layer data and directly mixed by the display controller 40to reduce power consumption of the electronic terminal or achieve theobject of a bandwidth saving system of the electronic terminal. Whenpart of the layer data may be directly mixed by the display controller40, the amount of layer data to be mixed by the 3D graphic processor 30may be distributed between the 3D graphic processor 30 and the displaycontroller 40. Thus, the layer data may be efficiently mixed. However, aconsideration portion of system bandwidth of the electronic terminal maybe needed to transmit the direct mixed layer data classified by theclassification unit 10 to the display controller 40. Thus, the displaycontroller 40 may consume a large amount of power to perform anoperation of mixing the classified direct mixed layer data, the 2D layerdata processed by the second graphic processor 20, and the 3D layer dataprocessed by the third graphic processor 30. Therefore, in at least oneof a case in which only a small amount of layer data is mixed by the 3Dgraphic processor 30 (e.g., when there is no operation performed by auser or when a screen of the display interface is unchanged) and a casein which a bandwidth required to transmit layer data, which may beclassified as the direct mixed layer data, to the display controller 40is a reference value or more, the classification unit 10 may notclassify the layer data as the direct mixed layer data during theclassification operation.

In an exemplary embodiment, the classification unit 10 may determinewhether a frequency of the layer data received by the display controller40 is lower than a predetermined frequency reference value. Based on thedetermination result, the classification unit 10 may choose to classifythe layer data into 2D layer data and 3D layer data or choose toclassify the layer data into 2D layer data, 3D layer data, and directmixed layer data.

Layer data may be provided to the display controller 40 at a specificclock frequency by a front-end device of the display controller 40. Afrequency of the layer data received by the display controller 40 mayindicate the frequency of interactions between a current user and theelectronic terminal. As the frequency of the layer data received by thedisplay controller 40 increases, it may mean that interactions betweenthe current user and the electronic terminal occur more frequently. Forexample, when the frequency of the layer data received by the displaycontroller 40 is lower than the frequency reference value, theclassification unit 10 may classify the layer data into 2D layer dataand 3D layer data. In another exemplary embodiment, when the frequencyof the layer data received by the display controller 40 is higher than apredetermined frequency reference value, the classification unit 10 mayclassify the layer data into 2D layer data, 3D layer data, and directmixed layer data.

As described above, when the frequency of the layer data received by thedisplay controller 40 is lower than the frequency reference value,direct mixed layer data that may be transmitted from the classificationunit 10 may not be separately classified so that the display controller40 may perform a direct mixing operation. As a result, power consumptioncaused by the user of a system bandwidth may be reduced during thetransmission of the direct mixed layer data. When the frequency of thelayer data received by the splay controller 40 is higher than thefrequency reference value, the display controller 40 may perform anoperation of directly mixing the direct mixed layer data with otherlayer data processed by the 2D graphic processor 20 and 3D graphicprocessor 30. Thus, an efficient operation of mixing the layer data maybe performed by distributing the amount of layer data mixed by the 3Dgraphic processor 30. The display controller 40 may not perform anoperation of mixing layer data, while the 3D graphic processor 30 mayperform an operation of mixing 3D layer data.

The classification unit 10 may determine whether a resolution of animage corresponding to layer data that is directly mixable by thedisplay controller 40 exceeds a predetermined resolution referencevalue. The resolution of the image corresponding to the layer data mayrefer to a resolution of a frame image generated by mixing the layerdata. Based on the determination result, the classification unit 10 maychoose to classify layer data into 2D layer data and 3D layer data orchoose to classify layer data into 2D layer data, 3D layer data, anddirect mixed layer data.

When a resolution of the image corresponding to the layer data that isdirectly mixable by the display controller 40 exceeds a resolutionreference value, a consideration portion of system bandwidth may beneeded to transmit the directly mixable layer data to the displaycontroller 40. Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, when theresolution of the image corresponding to the layer data that isclassifiable as direct mixed layer data exceeds a predeterminedresolution reference value, the classification unit 10 may classify thelayer data into 2D layer data and 3D layer data. In another exemplaryembodiment, when the resolution of the image corresponding to the layerdata that is mixable by the display controller 40 does not exceeds thepredetermined resolution reference value, the classification unit 10 mayclassify the layer data into 2D layer data, 3D layer data, and directmixed layer data. Thus, when the resolution of the image correspondingto the layer data that is classifiable as direct mixed layer dataexceeds a resolution reference value, the classification unit 10 may notclassify the layer data as the direct mixed layer data. As describedabove, power consumption caused by the use of a system bandwidth of anelectronic terminal may be reduced during the transmission of the directmixed layer data.

In addition, when the resolution of the image corresponding to the layerdata that is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data does not exceedthe resolution reference value, the classification unit 10 may classifythe layer data as the direct mixed layer data and transmit the directmixed layer data to the display controller 40. The display controller 40may directly mix the direct mixed layer data and other layer dataprocessed by the 2D graphic processor 20 and the 3D graphic processor30. Thus, an efficient operation of mixing layer data may be performedby distributing the amount of layer data mixed by the 3D graphicprocessor 30.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a display driver apparatus 1′ configured togenerate a display interface, according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display driver apparatus 1′ may include aclassification unit 10, a 2D graphic processor 20, a 3D graphicprocessor 30, a display controller 40, an overlay buffer 50, and a framebuffer 60. Since configurations of the classification unit 10, the 2Dgraphic processor 20, the 3D graphic processor 30, and the displaycontroller 40 are the same as those of FIG. 1, differences between thedisplay driver apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 and the display driver apparatus 1′of FIG. 2 will chiefly be described.

The 2D graphic processor 20 may process classified 2D layer data. Theprocessing of the classified 2D layer data by using the 2D graphicprocessor 20 may include performing at least one of a color formatconversion operation (e.g., conversion of an RGB color space into aYCrCb color space), a scaling (upscaling or downscaling) operation, arotation operation, and a cropping operation on the classified 2D layerdata. Thereafter, the 2D graphic processor 20 may store the processedlayer data in the overlay buffer 50. The 2D graphic processor 20 mayinclude a typical 2D graphic accelerator 25 or a typical scaler (notshown).

The 3D graphic processor 30 may mix classified 3D layer data. Asdescribed above, in an exemplary embodiment, the 3D graphic processor 30may mix layer data, which is not directly mixable by the displaycontroller 40. The 3D graphic processor 30 may mix a plurality of piecesof layer data to generate layer data regarding one layer. In addition,the 3D graphic processor 30 may store the layer data regarding onelayer, which is generated due to the mixing operation, in the framebuffer 60. Furthermore, the 3D graphic processor 30 may include atypical 3D graphic accelerator 35.

The display controller 40 may receive direct mixed layer data from theclassification unit 10, receive 2D layer data processed by the overlaybuffer 50, and receive 3D layer data mixed by the frame buffer 60.However, in an exemplary embodiment, when the classification unit 10classifies a plurality of pieces of layer data into only 2D layer dataand 3D layer data, the display controller 40 may receive the 2D layerdata processed by the overlay buffer 50 and the 3D layer data receivedfrom the frame buffer 60.

The display controller 40 may mix direct mixed layer data, the processed2D layer data, and the mixed 3D layer data to generate the displayinterface. Specifically, the display controller 40 may mix the 2D layerdata processed by the 2D graphic processor 20, the 3D layer data mixedby the 3D graphic processor 30, and the direct mixed layer data obtainedby the classification unit 10. Furthermore, the direct mixed layer datamay be previously processed during the mixing operation. For example, aprocessing operation (e.g., a downscaling or upscaling operation)corresponding to processing performance of the display controller 40 maybe previously performed on the direct mixed layer data. In theabove-described method, the display controller 40 may mix a plurality ofpieces of layer data to generate layer data regarding one layer. Thegenerated display interface may be output on a screen of the electronicterminal. In an example, the display controller 40 may be embodied by adisplay adaptor. The display controller 40 may correspond to a fullyinteractive mobile display (FIMD).

According to an exemplary embodiment, layer data may be appropriatelyclassified by using a display driver apparatus to generate the displayinterface of the electronic terminal. Thus, performance of variousapparatuses for processing layer data may be sufficiently utilized, anddisplay efficiency may be improved.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of driving a display to generate adisplay interface of an electronic terminal, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, layer data used to generate a display interface maybe classified into at least one of 2D layer data, 3D layer data, anddirect mixed layer data (operation S10). The display interface mayinclude an interface for an HMI provided from an electronic terminal oran interface for providing contents to a user. Here, the layer data maybe used to generate the display interface. The display interface may begenerated by performing a scaling operation, a color format conversionoperation, and a layer data mixing operation on layer data.

According to an exemplary embodiment, layer data may be classified basedon information related to layer data. Alternatively, the layer data maybe classified in consideration of performance of an apparatus forperforming an appropriate processing operation on the layer data.Furthermore, a method of classifying layer data may be selected inconsideration of display efficiency or power consumption. Thus, layerdata may be appropriately classified, and an optimum processingoperation may be performed on the layer data.

The layer data may be classified into at least one of 2D layer data, 3Dlayer data, and direct mixed layer data according to characteristicsthereof (operation S10). Here, the characteristics of the layer data mayinclude characteristics related to performance of a device forprocessing the layer data. For example, from among the layer data, layerdata processed by the 2D graphic processor may be classified as 2D layerdata, and layer data mixed by the 3D graphic processor may be classifiedas 3D layer data. Further, layer data, which remains unclassified, maybe classified as direct mixed layer data.

In other exemplary embodiments, layer data processed by the 2D graphicprocessor may be classified as 2D layer data, layer data mixed by the 3Dgraphic processor may be classified as 3D layer data, and layer data,which is not directly mixable by a display controller, may be classifiedas 3D layer data.

In other exemplary embodiments, the layer data may be classified into atleast one of 2D layer data, 3D layer data, and direct mixed layer dataaccording to indication information for designating the layer data mixedby the 3D graphic processor and the characteristics of layer data(operation S10). The indication information may be required to indicatelayer data processed by the 3D graphic processor. In addition, layerdata including indication information may be classified as 3D layerdata.

In an exemplary embodiment, initially, it may be determined whether thelayer data includes indication information for indicating the layer datamixed by the 3D graphic processor. When the layer data includes theindication information, the layer data may be classified as 3D layerdata. Next, based on characteristics of layer data that remainsunclassified, layer data that is processable by the 2D graphic processormay be classified as 2D layer data, and layer data that is mixable bythe 3D graphic processor may be classified as 3D layer data.Unclassified layer data may be classified as direct mixed layer data.

For example, video layer data may be classified as 2D layer data that isprocessable by the 2D graphic processor, and layer data that is notdirectly mixable by the display controller may be classified as 3D layerdata and mixed by the 3D graphic processor. Alternatively, layer dataexcept the 2D layer data and the 3D layer data may be classified asdirect mixed layer data. Since layer data, which is processable by the2D graphic processor, and layer data, which is mixable by the 3D graphicprocessor, have been described above, detailed descriptions thereof areomitted.

The 2D graphic processor may process the classified 2D layer data(operation S20). During a process of processing the 2D layer data, atleast one of a color format conversion process, a scaling operation, arotation operation, and a cropping operation may be performed on the 2Dlayer data. Layer data processed by the 2D graphic processor may bestored in an overlay layer buffer. During a process of processing the 2Dlayer data, a 2D graphic accelerator or a typical scaler may be used toprocess the 2D layer data.

The 3D graphic processor may mix the classified 3D layer data (operationS30). In an exemplary embodiment, the 3D graphic processor may mix layerdata, which is not directly mixable by the display controller. Forexample, the 3D graphic processor may mix layer data regarding aplurality of layers and generate layer data regarding one layer. Thegenerated layer data regarding the one layer may be stored in a framebuffer. During this process, the 3D graphic accelerator may be used tomix the 3D layer data.

The display controller may mix direct mixed layer data, the processed 2Dlayer data, and the mixed 3D layer data to generate the displayinterface (operation S40). The display controller may mix layer data,which are processed by the 2D graphic processor and the 3D graphicprocessor, with classified direct mixed layer data. Furthermore, thedirect mixed layer data may be previously processed during the mixingoperation. In an example, the display controller may previously performa processing operation, such as a downscaling or upscaling operation, onthe direct mixed layer data. As described above, the display controllermay mix a plurality of pieces of layer data to generate layer dataregarding one layer. The display interface obtained by using theabove-described method may be output on a screen of the electronicterminal. For example, a display adaptor (e.g., a video adaptor) may mixdirect mixed layer data, the processed 2D layer data, and the mixed 3Dlayer data. An FIMD may mix direct mixed layer data, the processed 2Dlayer data, and the mixed 3D layer data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of classifying a plurality of piecesof layer data according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, it may be determined whether layer data isprocessable by a 2D graphic processor (operation S111). The layer datathat is processable by the 2D graphic processor may include video layerdata. Here, the video layer data may include layer data that isgenerated during reproduction of various video files, such as movingpictures. Thus, a color formation conversion operation, a scalingoperation, a conversion operation, and/or a cropping operation may beperformed on the video layer data based on processing performance of the2D graphic processor. Accordingly, the video layer data may bedetermined as layer data that is processable by the 2D graphicprocessor.

If the layer data is determined as processable by the 2D graphicprocessor (refer to YES in operation S111), an operation of classifyingthe layer data as 2D layer data may be performed so that the 2D graphicprocessor may process the layer data (operation S112). Otherwise, if theoperation layer data is determined as not processable by the 2D graphicprocessor (refer to NO in operation S111), it may be determined whetherthe layer data is mixable by the 3D graphic processor (operation S113).3D layer data that is mixed by the 3D graphic processor may includelayer data other than the 2D layer data, which is not directly mixableby a display controller. Therefore, the 3D graphic processor may be morecapable of mixing layer data than the display controller. For example,layer data that is directly mixable by the display controller may dependon processing performance of the display controller, while layer datathat is not directly mixable by the display controller may be determinedas 3D layer data. The layer data that is not directly mixable by thedisplay controller may include at least one of layer data having a colorformat that cannot be supported by the display controller, layer dataincluding data in which the number of pieces of data superposed in thesame pixel exceeds a reference value, layer data having a data size thatis not processable by the display controller, and layer data thatrequires higher mixing performance than that of the display controller.

Specifically, the color format of the layer data may not be supported bythe display controller. In other words, the display controller may notprocess layer data having a color format that cannot be supported by thedisplay controller. Therefore, the layer data may be classified as layerdata that is mixable by the 3D graphic processor. During an operation ofsuperposing layer data, when the number of pieces of data superposed inthe same pixel exceeds a reference value and the layer data includes thesuperposed pieces of data, the layer data may be classified as layerdata that is mixable by the 3D graphic processor. Furthermore, layerdata having a data size that is not processable by the displaycontroller, based on the size of layer data that is processable by thedisplay controller, may be classified as data that is mixable by the 3Dgraphic processor.

In an exemplary embodiment, layer data regarding five layers or fewermay be simultaneously mixed by the display controller. Layer dataregarding layers exceeding a maximum number standard of layers may beclassified as layer data that is mixable by the 3D graphic processor.However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and various kindsof pieces of layer data may be mixed by the display controller dependingon performance of the display controller.

If the layer data is determined as mixable by the 3D graphic processor(refer to YES in operation S113), the layer data may be classified as 3Dlayer data so as to process the layer data by using the 3D graphicprocessor (operation S114).

Otherwise, if the layer data is determined as not mixable by the 3Dgraphic processor (refer to NO in operation S113), the layer data may beclassified as direct mixed layer data so as to process the layer data byusing the display controller (operation S115). However, the inventiveconcept is not limited to the above-described operations according toone exemplary embodiment, and may further include various operations.For example, in operation S113, it may be determined whether the layerdata is directly mixable by the display controller. If the layer data isdetermined as directly mixable by the display controller, the layer datamay be classified as direct mixed layer data so as to directly mix thelayer data by using the display controller (operation S114). Otherwise,if the layer data is determined as not mixable by the displaycontroller, the layer data may be classified as 3D graphic data so as toprocess the layer data by the 3D graphic processor (operation S115).

For example, the layer data that is directly mixable by the displaycontroller may include at least one of layer data having a color formatsupported by the display controller, layer data including data in whichthe number of pieces of data superposed in the same pixel does notexceed a reference value, layer data having such a data size as to besupported by the display controller, and layer data that requiresperformance corresponding to mixing performance of the displaycontroller. Specifically, the color format of the layer data may not besupported by the display controller. That is, the display controller maynot process layer data having the color format that cannot be supportedby the display controller. Therefore, the layer data may be classifiedas layer data that is mixable by the 3D graphic processor. In anoperation of superposing layer data, the layer data including the datain which the number of pieces of data superposed in the same pixel doesnot exceed the reference value may be mixed by the display controller.Layer data having such a size as to be processed by the displaycontroller may be classified as layer data that may be directly mixableby the display controller according to a size of the layer data that ismixable by the display controller. Here, a minimum width of the layerdata may be equal to or more than 64 pixels. In an exemplary embodiment,layer data regarding five layers or fewer may be simultaneously mixed bythe display controller. Layer data regarding layers of which the numberdoes not exceed the maximum number standard of mixable layers may beclassified as layer data that is directly mixable by the displaycontroller.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of classifying a plurality of piecesof layer data according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, as described above with reference to FIG. 3,a plurality of pieces of layer data may be classified according toindication information for indicating 3D layer data mixed by a 3Dgraphic processor and characteristics of respective pieces of layerdata.

It may be determined whether there is layer data including indicationinformation for designating layer mixed by the 3D graphic processor(operation S126). When the layer data is mixable by the 3D graphicprocessor, the layer data may include indication information. If thereis the layer data including the indication information (refer to YES inoperation S126), the layer data including the indication information maybe classified as 3D layer data (operation S124).

If there is not layer data including indication information (refer to NOin operation S126), it may be determined whether layer data isprocessable by a 2D graphic processor (operation S121). If the layerdata is determined as processable by the 2D graphic processor (refer toYES in operation S121), the layer data may be classified as 2D layerdata so as to process the layer data by using the 2D graphic processor(operation S122). Otherwise, if the layer data is determined as notprocessed by the 2D graphic processor (refer to NO in operation S121),the layer data may be classified as 3D layer data, and it may bedetermined whether the layer data is mixable by the 3D graphic processor(operation S123). Since the layer data that is mixable by the 3D graphicprocessor is described above, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.If the layer data is determined as not mixable by the 3D graphicprocessor (refer to NO in operation S123), the layer data may beclassified as direct mixed layer data so as to directly mix the layerdata by using the display controller (operation S125).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of determining categories of layerdata to be classified during an operation of classifying the layer dataaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, it may be determined whether layer data thatis directly mixable by a display controller is classifiable as directmixed layer data (operation S200). The direct mixed layer data that maybe directly mixable by the display controller 40 may be classified bythe classification unit 10 of FIG. 1. Thus, the display controller 40may perform a mixing operation on the direct mixed layer data, therebysaving a system bandwidth and reducing power consumption of anelectronic terminal. The classification unit 10 may transmit the directmixed layer data, which part of layer data, to the display controller40, and the display controller 40 may mix the direct mixed layer datawith other layer data processed by the 2D graphic processor 20 and the3D graphic processor 30. Thus, the amount of data to be mixed by the 3Dgraphic processor 30 may be distributed between the 3D graphic processor30 and the display controller 40, thereby improving display efficiency.

However, while a consideration portion of system bandwidth of theelectronic terminal is needed for the classification unit 10 to transmitlayer data, which is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data, to thedisplay controller 40, the display controller 40 may consume aconsideration amount of power. Therefore, when a data processing amountof the 3D graphic processor 30 is small or when a consideration portionof system bandwidth of the electronic terminal is used to transmit layerdata, which is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data, the displaycontroller 40 may not perform an operation of directly mixing layerdata. Except for the above-described cases, layer data that isclassifiable as the direct mixed layer data may be classified as thedirect mixed layer data, and the display controller 40 may directly mixthe direct mixed layer data with layer data processed by the 2D graphicprocessor 20 and the 3D graphic processor 30. Accordingly, when layerdata that is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data is transmittedto the display controller 40, the system bandwidth of the electronicterminal may be equal to or lower than a reference value or the dataprocessing amount of the 3D graphic processor 30 may be equal to orhigher than a reference value. In these cases, it may be determined thatthe display controller 40 may directly mix the layer data, which isclassifiable as the direct mixed layer data, with the layer dataprocessed by the 2D graphic processor 20 and the 3D graphic processor30. Thus, the classification unit 10 may classify the layer data into 2Dlayer data, 3D layer data, and direct mixed layer data (operation S210).However, when layer data that is directly mixable by the displaycontroller 40 is transmitted to the display controller 40, the systembandwidth of the electronic terminal may exceed a reference value or thedata processing amount of the 3D graphic processor 30 may be lower thana reference value. In these cases, it may be determined that the displaycontroller 40 cannot mix the direct mixed layer data. Thus, theclassification unit 10 may classify layer data into 2D layer data and 3Dlayer data (operation S220).

In an exemplary embodiment, a method of determining a data processingamount of the 3D graphic processor 30 may be provided. If a frequency oflayer data received by the display controller 40 from the electronicterminal is higher than a predetermined frequency reference value, thedata processing amount of the 3D graphic processor 30 may be determinedas equal to or higher than a reference value. Otherwise, if thefrequency of the received data is lower than the predetermined frequencyreference value, the data processing amount of the 3D graphic processor30 may be determined as lower than the reference value.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method of determining a used systembandwidth of the electronic terminal when direct mixed layer data istransmitted to the display controller 40 may be provided. The usedsystem bandwidth of the electronic terminal may be determined dependingon whether a resolution of an image corresponding to layer data that isclassifiable as the direct mixed layer data exceeds a predeterminedresolution reference value. For example, if the resolution of the imagecorresponding to the layer data that is classifiable as the direct mixedlayer data exceeds the predetermined resolution reference value, thesystem bandwidth of the electronic terminal needed to transmit layerdata, which is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data, to thedisplay controller 40 may be determined as higher than a referencevalue. Otherwise, if the resolution of the image corresponding to thelayer data that is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data does notexceed the predetermined resolution reference value, the systembandwidth of the electronic terminal needed to transmit layer data,which is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data, to the displaycontroller 40 may be determined as equal to or lower than the referencevalue.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of determining whether there is layerdata that is classifiable as direct mixed layer data, which is directlymixable by a display controller, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, initially, to determine whether there is directmixed layer data, which is directly mixable by the display controller,from among a plurality of pieces of layer data, it may be determinedwhether there is layer data including a color format that may besupported by the display controller (operation S300). If there is thelayer data including the color format, it may be determined whether thenumber of pieces of layer data superposed in the same pixel, from amongthe layer data including the color format, exceeds a reference value(S310). If the number of the pieces of layer data superposed in the samepixel does not exceed the reference value, it may be determined whetherthe layer data including the layer data superposed in the same pixel isof such a size as to be processable by the display controller (operationS320). If the layer data is of such the size as to be processable by thedisplay controller, it may be determined that there is direct mixedlayer data, and the plurality of pieces of layer data may be classifiedinto 2D layer data, 3D layer data, and direct mixed layer data(operation S330). Otherwise, if there is no layer data that falls withinoperations S300 to S330, it may be determined that there is no directmixed layer data, and the plurality of pieces of layer data may beclassified into 2D layer data and 3D layer data (operation S340).However, the inventive concept is not limited to the present embodiment,and operations S300 to S340 may be performed in various orders todetermine whether there is direct mixed layer data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a display system 1000 according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the display system 1000 may include a processor1020, a display device 1050, a peripheral device 1030, and a memory1040, which may be electrically connected to a system bus 1010.

The processor 1020 may control data to be input to or output from theperipheral device 1030, the memory 1040, and the display device 1050 andperform an image processing operation on image data transmitted betweenthe peripheral device 1030, the memory 1040, and the display device1050. The image data may include layer data described above withreference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

The display device 1050 may include a display panel DP and a displaydriver apparatus DDRV. The display device 1050 may receive image datathrough the system bus 1010, store the image data in a frame memory or aline memory included in the display driver apparatus DDRV, and displaythe image data on the display panel DP. The display driver apparatusDRVC may be the display driver apparatus 1 described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2 according to exemplary embodiments.

The peripheral device 1030 may be a device configured to convert movingimages or still images captured by a camera, a scanner, or a webcam intoelectric signals. Image data obtained by using the peripheral device1030 may be stored in the memory 1040 or displayed on the display panelDP of the display device 1050 in real-time. The memory 4040 may includea volatile memory device (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM))and/or a non-volatile memory device (e.g., a flash memory). The memory1040 may include a DRAM, a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a magnetic RAM(MRAM), a resistive RAM (ReRAM), a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), a NOR flashmemory, a NAND flash memory, and/or a fusion flash memory (e.g., amemory in which a static RAM (SRAM) buffer, a NAND flash memory, and aNOR interface logic are combined). The memory 1040 may store image dataobtained by the peripheral device 1030 or store image signals processedby the processor 1020.

The display system 1000 according to the exemplary embodiment may beapplied to an electronic product, such as a tablet PC or a TV, but theinventive concept is not limited thereto. The display system 1000 may beapplied to various kinds of electronic products configured to displayimages.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of various application examples of an electronicproduct on which a display driver apparatus 1 according to an exemplaryembodiment is mounted.

A display device 2000 according to an exemplary embodiment may includethe display driver apparatus 2010 that corresponds to 1 shown in FIG. 1or 2 and be applied to various electronic products. The display device2000 may be broadly applied not only to a smartphone 2900 but also to aTV 2100, an automated teller machine (ATM) 2200 configured to performbank deposits or withdrawals, an elevator 2300, a smart watch 2400, atablet PC 2500, a portable media player (PMP) 2600, an electronic book(e-book) 2700, and a navigation 2800, etc. The display device 2000 maybe mounted on various wearable electronic devices.

An electronic terminal according to an exemplary embodiment mayappropriately classify layer data by using a method of driving a displayto generate a display interface, and improve display efficiency.

While the inventive concept has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodthat various changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display driver apparatus comprising: aprocessor configured to receive a plurality of pieces of layer data andclassify the received plurality of pieces of layer data into at leastone from among two-dimensional (2D) layer data, three-dimensional (3D)layer data, and direct mixed layer data; a 2D graphic processorconfigured to receive the 2D layer data transmitted from the processorand process the 2D layer data; a 3D graphic processor configured toreceive the 3D layer data transmitted from the processor and process the3D layer data; and a display controller configured to: receive thedirect mixed layer data from the processor; receive the processed 2Dlayer data from the 2D graphic processor; receive the processed 3D layerdata from the 3D graphic processor, and mix the direct mixed layer data,the processed 2D layer data, and the processed 3D layer data to generatea display interface for a display device, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: determine whether layer data, which isclassifiable as the direct mixed layer data, is present in the receivedplurality of pieces of layer data, in response to determining that thelayer data, which is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data, ispresent, classify the received plurality of pieces of layer data into atleast one from among the 2D layer data, the 3D layer data, and thedirect mixed layer data, and in response to determining that the layerdata, which is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data, is notpresent, classify the received plurality of pieces of layer data into atleast one from among the 2D layer data and the 3D layer data.
 2. Thedisplay driver apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor classifiesthe received plurality of pieces of layer data into the 2D layer data,the 3D layer data, and the direct mixed layer data according tocharacteristics of the received plurality of pieces of layer data. 3.The display driver apparatus of claim 2, wherein based on thecharacteristics of the received plurality of pieces of layer data, theprocessor classifies layer data processed by the 2D graphic processor,from among the received plurality of pieces of layer data, as the 2Dlayer data, and classifies layer data processed by the 3D graphicprocessor, from among the received plurality of pieces of layer data, asthe 3D layer data.
 4. The display driver apparatus of claim 1, wherein,based on indication information included in the received plurality ofpieces of layer data and characteristics of the received plurality ofpieces of layer data, the processor classifies the received plurality ofpieces of layer data into at least one of the 2D layer data, the 3Dlayer data, and the direct mixed layer data.
 5. The display driverapparatus of claim 4, wherein layer data from among the receivedplurality of pieces of layer data including the indication informationis classified as the 3D layer data by the processor.
 6. The displaydriver apparatus of claim 1, wherein the 2D layer data comprises videolayer data, and at least one from among a color format conversionoperation, a scaling operation, a rotation operation, and a croppingoperation is performed on the video layer data by the 2D graphicprocessor.
 7. The display driver apparatus of claim 1, wherein the 3Dlayer data is layer data that is not directly mixed by the displaycontroller from among the received plurality of pieces of layer dataother than the 2D layer data.
 8. The display driver apparatus of claim7, wherein the processor does not classify layer data corresponding toat least one from among layer data including a color format that is notsupported by the display controller, layer data including data in whicha number of pieces of data superposed in a same pixel exceeds areference value, layer data having such a data size as not to beprocessed by the display controller, and layer data that is not mixeddue to performance of the display controller, as the direct mixed layerdata.
 9. A method of driving a display, the method comprising: receivinga plurality of pieces of layer data; classifying, by a classifier, thereceived plurality of pieces of layer data into at least one from among2D layer data, 3D layer data, and direct mixed layer data; processing,by a 2D processor, the 2D layer data; processing, by a 3D processor, the3D layer data; and mixing, by a display controller, the direct mixedlayer data, the processed 2D layer data, and the processed 3D layer datato generate a display interface for a display device, wherein theclassifying the received plurality of pieces of layer data comprisesdetermining whether layer data, which is classifiable as the directmixed layer data, is present in the received plurality of pieces oflayer data, wherein, in response to determining that the layer data,which is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data, is present, thereceived plurality of pieces of layer data are classified into at leastone from among the 2D layer data, the 3D layer data, and the directmixed layer data, and wherein, in response to determining that the layerdata, which is classifiable as the direct mixed layer data, is notpresent, the received plurality of pieces of layer data are classifiedinto at least one from among the 2D layer data and the 3D layer data.10. A display driver apparatus comprising: a processor configured toclassify a plurality of pieces of layer data into at least one fromamong two-dimensional (2D) layer data, three-dimensional (3D) layerdata, and direct mixed layer data; a 2D graphic processor configured toreceive the 2D layer data transmitted from the processor, process the 2Dlayer data, and output processed 2D layer data; a 3D graphic processorconfigured to receive the 3D layer data transmitted from the processor,process the 3D layer data, and output processed 3D layer data; and adisplay controller configured to mix the direct mixed layer data, theprocessed 2D layer data, and the processed 3D layer data to generate adisplay interface for a display device, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to: determine whether layer data, which is classifiable asthe direct mixed layer data, is present in the plurality of pieces oflayer data, in response to determining that the layer data, which isclassifiable as the direct mixed layer data, is present, classify theplurality of pieces of layer data into at least one from among the 2Dlayer data, the 3D layer data, and the direct mixed layer data, and inresponse to determining that the layer data, which is classifiable asthe direct mixed layer data, is not present, classify the plurality ofpieces of layer data into at least one from among the 2D layer data andthe 3D layer data.
 11. The display driver apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe 2D layer data comprises video layer data, and wherein the 2D graphicprocessor performs at least one from among a color format conversionoperation, a scaling operation, a rotation operation, and a croppingoperation on the video layer data.